Management System, Device for Use in the System, Program Therefor, and Management Method

Abstract

Assignment function notifying means ( 24 ) of a shelf management unit ( 2 ) notifies assignment function accepting means ( 35 ) of a board management unit ( 3 a ), what function executing right is assigned. Subsequently, execution function selecting means ( 34 ) of the board management unit ( 3 a ) selects a function to be actually executed, from the functions which can be executed in the board. After the shelf management unit ( 2 ) notified the function be assigned, the information be used in the function to be assigned is notified from using information notifying means ( 26 ) to using information accepting means ( 37 ) of a second device. After this, function executing means ( 38 ) of the board management unit ( 3 a ) executes the function assigned.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
   
   
       31 . A management system for managing an executing right of functions of a first device and a second device, said first device and said second being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in that:
 said first device, manages said second device, comprises the means for:   notifying to the second device the function of the executing right that should be assigned from the first device;   notifying data necessary for executing the function of said executing right to said second device; and   in response to a notification about assignability of said executing right from said second device, notifying that said executing right is assigned to said second device; and   said second device comprises the means for:   receiving a notification about the function of the executing right being assigned from said first device;   determining whether the function of said notified executing right is executable by combining the functions that can be executed within the second device, or is substitutable with the function that can be executed within the second device, and if it is determined that it is impossible, notifying unassignability to said first device;   receiving data necessary for executing the function of said executing right from said first device, and determining whether the received data is data satisfactory for executing the function of said executing right;   in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, and yet said received data is data satisfactory for executing the function of said executing right, notifying assignability of said executing right to the said first device; and   accepting the executing right of said function from said first device.   
   
   
       32 . The management system according to  claim 31 , characterized in that said first device comprises means for dividing the function of the executing right that should be assigned into the functions that can be executed by a plurality of the second devices, notifying each divided function to a plurality of the second devices, and causing a plurality of the second devices to execute the function of the executing right that should be assigned from the first device. 
   
   
       33 . The management system according to  claim 31 , characterized in that said second device comprises means for, in a case where the function of said notified executing right is unexecutable only with the functions that can be executed within its own device, discovering another second device taking a charge of the function that is lacking, and executing the function of said notified executing right together with said second device. 
   
   
       34 . A device for mutually assigning an executing right of a predetermined function between devices, said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in comprising the means for:
 notifying to a device being an object of management the function of the executing right that should be assigned;   notifying data necessary for executing the function of said executing right to said another device; and   in response to a notification about assignability of the executing right from said another device, assigning said executing right to said another device.   
   
   
       35 . The device according to  claim 34 , characterized in comprising means for dividing the function of the executing right that should be assigned into the functions that can be executed by a plurality of the devices, notifying each divided function to a plurality of the devices, and causing a plurality of other devices to execute the function of the executing right that should be assigned. 
   
   
       36 . A device for mutually assigning an executing right of a predetermined function between devices, said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in comprising the means for:
 receiving a notification about the function of the executing right that is assigned from a device being a management entity;   determining whether the function of said notified executing right is executable by combining the functions that can be executed within its own device, or substitutable with the function that can be executed within its own device, and if it is determined that it is impossible, notifying unassignability to the device having notified the function of said executing right;   receiving data necessary for executing the function of said executing right from the device having notified the function of said executing right, and determining whether the received data is data satisfactory for executing the function of said executing right;   in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, and yet said received data is data satisfactory for executing the function of said executing right, notifying assignability of said executing right to the device having notified the function of said executing right; and   accepting the executing right of said function from the device having notified the function of said executing right.   
   
   
       37 . The device according to  claim 36 , characterized in comprising means for, in a case where the function of said notified executing right is unexecutable only with the function that can be executed within its own device, discovering another device taking a charge of the function that is lacking, and executing the function of said notified executing right together with said another device. 
   
   
       38 . A management method of an executing right of a function between each of a plurality of devices and the other, said plurality of said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in:
 by the device being a management entity from which the executing right should be assigned, notifying the function of the executing right that should be assigned, and data necessary for executing this function to a device being an object of management; and   causing the device having received the notification to determine whether the function of said notified executing right is executable by combining the functions that can be executed within the device, or substitutable with the function that can be executed within the device, and in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, and yet data necessary for executing the function of said executing right is reservable, assigning the executing right of the function to its device.   
   
   
       39 . The management method according to  claim 38 , characterized in, in a case where the function of the executing right that should be assigned is unexecutable only with one device, dividing the function of said executing right that should be assigned into a plurality of the executable functions, and causing a plurality of the devices to execute each divided function. 
   
   
       40 . A program of a device for mutually assigning an executing right of a predetermined function between devices, said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in causing said device to function as the means for:
 notifying to a device being an object of management the function of the executing right that should be assigned;   notifying data necessary for executing the function of said executing right to another device; and   in response to a notification about assignability of the executing right from said another device, assigning said executing right to said another device.   
   
   
       41 . The program of a device according to  claim 40 , characterized in causing said device to function as means for dividing the function of the executing right that should be assigned into the functions that can be executed by a plurality of the devices, notifying each divided function to a plurality of the devices, and causing a plurality of other devices to execute the function of the executing right that should be assigned. 
   
   
       42 . A program of a device for mutually assigning an executing right of a predetermined function between devices, said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in causing said device to function as the means for:
 receiving a notification about the function of the executing right being assigned from a device being a management entity;   determining whether the function of said notified executing right is executable by combining the functions that can be executed within its own device, or substitutable with the function that can be executed within its own device, and if it is determined that it is impossible, notifying unassignability to the device having notified the function of said executing right;   receiving data necessary for executing the function of said executing right from the device having notified the function of said executing right, and determining whether the received data is data satisfactory for executing the function of said executing right;   in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, and yet said received data is data satisfactory for executing the function of said executing right, notifying assignability of the said executing right to the device having notified the function of said executing right; and   accepting the executing right of said function from the device having notified the function of said executing right.   
   
   
       43 . The program of a device according to  claim 42 , characterized in causing said device to function as means for, in a case where the function of said notified executing right is unexecutable only with the function that can be executed within its own device, discovering another device taking a charge of the function that is lacking, and executing the function of the said notified executing right together with said another device. 
   
   
       44 . A management system of an executing right of a function, characterized in comprising the means for:
 notifying the function of the executing right that should be assigned to a device being an object of management;   determining whether the function of said notified executing right is executable by combining the functions that can be executed in a notifyee side, or substitutable with the executable function, notifying assignability of said executing right in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, and notifying unassignability in a case where it is unexecutable to a device being a management entity;   in response to a notification about assignability of said executing right, notifying an assignment of said executing right to said device being an object of management; and   accepting an assignment of the executing right of said function.   
   
   
       45 . A management system of an executing right of a function between each of a plurality of devices and the other, said plurality of said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in comprising the means for:
 notifying the function of the executing right that should be assigned from a device being a management entity to a device being an object of management;   determining whether the function of said notified executing right is executable by combining the functions that can be executed within the device, or substitutable with the function that can be executed within the device, notifying assignability of said executing right in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, and notifying unassignability in a case where it is unexecutable to said device being a management entity;   in response to a notification about assignability of said executing right, notifying an assignment of said executing right to said device being an object of management; and   accepting an assignment of the executing right of said function.   
   
   
       46 . The management system according to  claim 45 , characterized in comprising means for, in a case where the function of the executing right that should be assigned is unexecutable only with one device, dividing the function of said executing right that should be assigned into a plurality of the executable functions, and causing a plurality of the devices to execute each divided function. 
   
   
       47 . A management method of an executing right of a function, characterized in: notifying the function of the executing right that should be assigned from a device being a management entity to a device being an object of management; determining in a notifyee side whether the function of said notified executing right that is executable by combining the executable functions, or is substitutable with the executable function; and in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, assigning the executing right of the function from said device being a management entity to its device. 
   
   
       48 . A management method of an executing right of a function between each of a plurality of devices and the other, said plurality of said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in:
 by a device being a management entity from which the executing right should be assigned, notifying to a device being an object of management the function of the executing right that should be assigned;   determining in the device having received the notification whether the function of said notified executing right is executable by combining the functions that can be executed within the device, or substitutable with the function that can be executed within the device, and in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, assigning the executing right of the function from said device being a management entity to its device.   
   
   
       49 . A device for mutually assigning an executing right of a predetermined function between devices, said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in comprising the means for:
 by a device being a management entity from which the executing right should be assigned, notifying to a device being an object of management the function of the executing right that should be assigned; and   in response to a notification about assignability of the executing right from said device being an object of management, assigning said executing right to said device being an object of management.   
   
   
       50 . A device for mutually assigning an executing right of a predetermined function between devices, said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in comprising the means for:
 from a device being an object of management, which the executing right should be assigned, receiving a notification about the function of the executing right being assigned;   determining whether the function of said notified executing right is executable by combining the functions that can be executed within its own device, or substitutable with the function that can be executed within its own device, in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, notifying assignability of said executing right to the device having notified the function of said executing right, and in a case where it is unexecutable, notifying unassignability of said executing right to the device having notified the function of said executing right to said device being a management entity; and   accepting the executing right of said function from said device being a management entity, having notified the function of said executing right.   
   
   
       51 . A management system for managing an executing right of functions of a first device and a second device, said first device and said second device being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in that:
 said first device comprises the means for:   notifying to the second device the function of the executing right that should be assigned from the first device;   notifying data necessary for executing the function of said executing right to said second device; and   in response to a notification about assignability of said executing right from said second device, notifying that said executing right is assigned to said second device; and   said second device, being a device for managing the first device, comprises the means for:   receiving a notification about the function of the executing right being assigned from said first device;   determining whether the function of said notified executing right is executable by combining the functions that can be executed within the second device, or is substitutable with the function that can be executed within the second device, and if it is determined that it is impossible, notifying unassignability to said first device;   receiving data necessary for executing the function of said executing right from said first device, and determining whether the received data is data satisfactory for executing the function of said executing right;   in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, and yet said received data is data satisfactory for executing the function of said executing right, notifying assignability of said executing right to the said first device; and   accepting the executing right of said function from said first device.   
   
   
       52 . The management system according to  claim 51 , characterized in that said first device comprises means for dividing the function of the executing right that should be assigned into the functions that can be executed by a plurality of the second devices, notifying each divided function to a plurality of the second devices, and causing a plurality of the second devices to execute the function of the executing right that should be assigned from the first device. 
   
   
       53 . The management system according to  claim 51 , characterized in that said second device comprises means for, in a case where the function of said notified executing right is unexecutable only with the functions that can be executed within its own device, discovering another second device taking a charge of the function that is lacking, and executing the function of said notified executing right together with said second device. 
   
   
       54 . A device for mutually assigning an executing right of a predetermined function between devices, said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in comprising the means for:
 notifying to a device, being a management entity, the function of the executing right that should be assigned;   notifying data necessary for executing the function of said executing right to another device; and   in response to a notification about assignability of the executing right from said another device, assigning said executing right to said another device.   
   
   
       55 . The device according to  claim 54 , characterized in comprising means for dividing the function of the executing right that should be assigned into the functions that can be executed by a plurality of the devices, notifying each divided function to a plurality of the devices, and causing a plurality of other devices to execute the function of the executing right that should be assigned. 
   
   
       56 . A device for mutually assigning an executing right of a predetermined function between devices, said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in comprising the means for:
 receiving a notification about the function of the executing right that is assigned from a device, being an object of management;   determining whether the function of said notified executing right is executable by combining the functions that can be executed within its own device, or substitutable with the function that can be executed within its own device, and if it is determined that it is impossible, notifying unassignability to the device having notified the function of said executing right;   receiving data necessary for executing the function of said executing right from the device having notified the function of said executing right, and determining whether the received data is data satisfactory for executing the function of said executing right;   in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, and yet said received data is data satisfactory for executing the function of said executing right, notifying assignability of said executing right to the device having notified the function of said executing right; and   accepting the executing right of said function from the device having notified the function of said executing right.   
   
   
       57 . The device according to  claim 56 , characterized in comprising means for, in a case where the function of said notified executing right is unexecutable only with the function that can be executed within its own device, discovering another device taking a charge of the function that is lacking, and executing the function of said notified executing right together with said another device. 
   
   
       58 . A management method of an executing right of a function between each of a plurality of devices and the other, said plurality of said devices being connected by means of a communication path enabling an exchange of information, characterized in:
 by a device, being an object of management, from which the executing right should be assigned, notifying the function of the executing right that should be assigned, and data necessary for executing this function to a device, being a management entity; and   causing the device having received the notification to determine whether the function of said notified executing right is executable by combining the functions that can be executed within the device, or substitutable with the function that can be executed within the device, and in a case where the function of said notified executing right is executable, and yet data necessary for executing the function of said executing right is reservable, assigning the executing right of the function to its device.   
   
   
       59 . The management method according to  claim 58 , characterized in, in a case where the function of the executing right that should be assigned is unexecutable only with one device, dividing the function of said executing right that should be assigned into a plurality of the executable functions, and causing a plurality of the devices to execute each divided function. 
   
   
       60 . The management system according to  claim 32 , characterized in that said second device comprises means for, in a case where the function of said notified executing right is unexecutable only with the functions that can be executed within its own device, discovering another second device taking a charge of the function that is lacking, and executing the function of said notified executing right together with said second device. 
   
   
       61 . The management system according to  claim 52 , characterized in that said second device comprises means for, in a case where the function of said notified executing right is unexecutable only with the functions that can be executed within its own device, discovering another second device taking a charge of the function that is lacking, and executing the function of said notified executing right together with said second device.